On April 18, 2026, the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia buzzed with excitement as RAF 8 unfolded. The main event, initially set to feature Henry Cejudo against Merab Dvalishvili, faced an unexpected twist when Cejudo withdrew due to injury.
Despite this setback, the night delivered remarkable moments. Arman Tsarukyan dominated Urijah Faber, winning by Tech Fall with a score of 13-1 in Round 3. After the match, Tsarukyan quipped, “RAF, next time you need two mats for me,” showcasing his confidence and readiness for more challenges ahead.
Khamzat Chimaev made headlines as well. He recently signed with Real American Freestyle and boasts an impressive professional MMA record of 15-0. According to a RAF release, “Chimaev’s standout wrestling base has allowed him to physically dominate opponents en route to a 15-0 record in MMA.” His presence added significant excitement to the evening.
In addition to Tsarukyan’s victory, Kyle Snyder defended his Light Heavyweight title against Rizabek Aitmukhan in a thrilling match-up at 215 lbs. This fight highlighted Snyder’s prowess and solidified his status within the competition.
The event aired exclusively on FOX Nation and kicked off at 8:00 PM ET. Fans packed the arena, eagerly supporting their favorite fighters while witnessing some unforgettable moments in wrestling history.
As we look ahead, RAF has exciting plans for future events. RAF 09 is scheduled for May 30th in Dallas, followed by RAF 10 on June 13th in St. Louis. These upcoming matches promise to keep fans engaged and eager for more action.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any last-minute changes or additional fighters joining these future events, but anticipation continues to build. The community surrounding RAF is buzzing with enthusiasm as they await what’s next for their beloved sport.
